Animals and Chores

Life has felt pretty crazy in the past few months. Jeremy and I jumped into cows and meat chickens, but then our goats turned into a whole lot of extra work and money. Now everyone seems to be healthy and slowing down. We don't have meat chickens anymore (they're all in the freezer). We don't have any bottle babies anymore. So chore time takes about 10 minutes now and the boys can do it by themselves.

The Pig Sty

We've gotten our new pigs, but we're wanting them to do some work for us in the midst of growing some of our meat. Plus, Jeremy likes pigs to stay contained since they can make a mess everywhere they go.

Black Mastitis

So I'm trying to figure out what happened. We were going along just fine. Gideon was able to take care of the animals and everyone was good, healthy, and we didn't have any problems. I think we were a bit complacent.

We Did a Thing

Oh my, oh my, oh my.

We're in love. And a little in over our heads.

New Animals on the Farm

Our friends, over at Farm Life Outfitters, had some piglets, so we bought a couple to put in the fence. Honestly, it was a little nerve-wracking. I knew the fence was goat-proof and goatling-proof, which can be a miraculous feat in and of itself, but was it pig-proof? And if they got out, there was going to be no way we would be able to catch them. They are fast! And they really are scared of us.

Moving Animals

I kind of figured moving the goats over was going to be interesting. They did fine, but it was a little difficult getting the goats into the truck. And then, of course, they also didn't want to get out of the truck either. Goats.

Ding Dong The Barn is DONE!

Such a relief! The barn is done. We can finish moving everything over, including the animals and we won't be stretched between two places anymore! Praise be to the Lord!

Goatlings on the Farm

I love having goatlings, they are absolutely the best! They are so cute and sweet, and they frolick everywhere they go.

The Farm Animals

It's been a while since I just shared the antics and personalities of our farm animals. Let's begin with the goats.

Failings

Well, we've had some unexpected developments around our homestead.

The goats dried up.

God Food, Good Food

I am, have been, and will be, trying to define our diet. I hesitate to even name it because I'm leaning toward calling it food. But perhaps that's not so well defined these days? Especially when you look at all the available diets.

Wanna meet our goats?

Hey! I figured out how to record video on my camera, so I decided to show y'all the babies. They are getting so big now! (Mostly because they are greedy and try to take all of our milk!)

Milk-Maiding

Every morning, I get up, gather my supplies, change into my dirty jeans and ratty shirt, and head outside. Sometimes I take Gideon, if Jeremy isn't here, or Eowyn if Jeremy is here.

So....Raw Milk

You know how I was worried about drinking raw goat milk?

Our Second Kidding!

This one was easier and harder than Sissy's. When the vet came back out to check the goats' TB tests, we opened up the barn to find Pippy on the floor with a very swollen hind end. We both said, "oh, she's about to kid!" This was on Thursday.

The New Nubians

Sissy's boy, and also the only buckling. He was the first born too. The kids love him, he's a sweetie. They call him Gregor.

Our First Kidding

Is it normal to feel so raw and ragged after a goat kidding? I am exhausted, elated, and worn thin. I feel as if I've been through all the emotions of labor and delivery, but without the expected rest afterward, or the baby to sit around and nurse.

Putting Down a Floor & Moving Goats in

It's funny how fast and busy those weeks off are, isn't it? Jeremy took a week of vacation time to get some homestead work done because we were getting behind. He's working his regular full-time job, and working at Spring Lake Family Farms a lot to get that business up and running. It's going so well, but the homestead work was getting pushed to the wayside. And we needed to play catch up because we have babies coming!

Milk Fever & Mistakes

I noticed the goats' milk sacks had filled up about 2 and half weeks ago, and I also noticed that Sissy had diarrhea, but thought it would resolve itself. Since I know how irregular I am when pregnant. But then one day I went out to feed them, and Sissy was down. And she didn't get up to eat the food I brought out. I knew something was wrong then. Goats eat when there is food. So I started calling for help.

Instructions to my Mom

Hey Mom, we're going out of town to visit Jeremy's family, and, well, would you please take care of the animals for us? They won't be any trouble, I'm sure. Here's how to do it:

Firstly, you'll want to wear a jimmy jacket with the hood up. No worries! It'll just keep you a little safer...